WA Road trip
Travelling has always been my greatest passion. Exploring a new environment, learning about different cultures and seeing unfamiliar faces in a weird way makes me feel most at home.
As we have all experienced with the impact of Covid-19, travelling has been almost impossible. I have really appreciated being in Sydney over the last year, however I have been itching for a new experience.
Last week I was lucky enough to be in Western Australia shooting for Ark Swimwear. The owner of Ark, Renee, organised the trip of a lifetime for the crew. I have shared the details of this trip so that you can follow our journey, and hopefully one day tick it off your bucket list!
Exmouth
Our first stop was Exmouth, where the forecast was 28°C and sunny everyday! We flew from Sydney to Perth, and then caught a connecting flight to Exmouth. The flight over to Exmouth was breath taking, and I could already tell this location was going to be something special.
We stayed at Mantarays Ningaloo Beach Resort. The resort was beautiful, with ocean view rooms, a pool and bar, on-site dining and more. This accommodation is more on the pricey side, and requires booking in advance due to its popularity.
We spent majority of our time in Exmouth at Turquoise Bay, known as one of Western Australia’s most beautiful beaches. Only a 50-minute drive from the resort, this beach is my picture of heaven with soft white sand, crystal blue water and marine life close to the shore. It is popular to explore the reef on the “snorkel drift”, where the current from the southern end of the beach takes you over the reef for a picturesque snorkel experience. My tip is to bring sunscreen, snacks and water with you, as like most of the beaches in this area there aren’t any shops nearby.
Shark Bay and Francoise Peron National Park
After shooting at Turquoise Bay, we hit the road and drove just over 8 hours to Shark Bay. Although a long drive, the landscapes are magnificent and we saw the skies light up in orange and pink when the sun was setting. We stopped just over the half waypoint in Carnarvon for dinner. Majority of the towns along this coastline are small, but it is important to support these local communities when you can.
Once we arrived, we checked into the Heritage Resort Shark Bay. I would say this resort looks more like a motel, but it was comfortable and clean, and one of the best options in this area.
The next morning Renee had organised an eco cultural and spiritual experience for the crew with the Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventure Company. This tour was run by two local indigenous men, Capes and Jack who taught us so much about their heritage, their land and the incredible connection we all have to these natural wonders.
We were picked up in four-wheel drives, and headed to the Francoise Peron National Park. This area is a MUST! From the moment we entered the park, the beauty of this desert like landscape blew me away. We headed towards Cape Peron, where spectacular beaches with energy filled red rocks meet the shore. We saw stingrays, sharks and schools of fish in the pristine waters, and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Capes found fresh oysters, and cooked them on the fire – I have to say flame grilled oysters may be even better than fresh ones! This was one of the most spiritual and grounding days of my life, and I will never forget those moments.
That evening we camped at the Big Lagoon. We set up swags, enjoyed cookies and tea by the fire and shared stories. I haven’t had much experience camping, but I am officially converted! There is nothing better than going to sleep amongst the stars and waking up to the beach right at your footsteps.
The following day we enjoyed breakfast on the beach and kayaked around the Big Lagoon.
Shell Beach
Shell Beach was my favourite shoot location; it made all my mermaid dreams come true. This beach is made up of billions of tiny white shells, and the water is crystal clear. My one recommendation is to bring some crocs or thongs with you, because although the shells look pretty, they aren’t kind to your feet.
Lancelin Sand Dunes
Located 7 and a half hours from Shark Bay, our final stop on this epic road trip was Lancelin, most famous for its picturesque Sand Dunes. I highly recommend stopping half way on your drive in Geraldton. We ate at a cute café called a Quiet Life which had one of the best vegan banana breads I’ve ever eaten!
We stayed in a house at Karakin called “The Amazing Lookout”, just a 10-minute drive from the Dunes. The Sand Dunes are well known for off-road driving and sand boarding, but for us it worked as a spectacular backdrop for the campaign.
After a week of exploring and shooting, we drove an hour and half down to Perth where we flew back to Sydney. I feel so grateful to do what I do, and to experience moments like these through work. Renee organised a dream trip for the crew, and we got some incredible photos. These areas feel untouched and special, and I couldn’t recommend travelling and exploring this part of Australia enough.
